He was cheered in San Diego, met with indifference in New York, and was the target of only one "Chea-ter!" chant in three days in Milwaukee.
The most high-profile player to be disciplined under baseball's drug policy, Manny Ramirez appeared increasingly nonchalant about what he called his "mistake" in the days leading up to the All-Star break, as he was overheard laughing and telling teammates, "I haven't been paid in 50 days!"
Today, Ramirez will return to Dodger Stadium, where he expects the fans who fell under the spell of Mannywood to welcome him to the second half of the season with open arms.
"That's my town," he said.
As well as the Dodgers played without Ramirez -- they had baseball's best record at the end of his suspension -- it's clear they're a different team with him in the lineup.
The Dodgers, who slugged 24 home runs in their first 29 games, hit only 35 long balls during his 50-game exile. Scoring dropped from 5.55 runs per game to 4.40.
In their nine games since Ramirez returned, the Dodgers belted 17 home runs and scored 62 runs.
When Ramirez was close to coming back, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre and General Manager Ned Colletti cautioned that their $25-million left fielder might need time to regain his form.
He didn't.
Ramirez batted .378 and had an on-base percentage of .471 in his first nine games back. He hit three home runs, drove in nine runs and scored eight. He ran the bases without any problems, resembling the turbo-charged force who last fall took the Dodgers to their first National League Championship Series in 20 years.
The mild receptions that Ramirez received on the road last week may be a reflection of the shift in social sensibilities that took place over the course of the so-called steroid era. Because so many star players have been linked to performance-enhancing drugs, what was shocking 10 years ago feels commonplace today.
Torre hopes that isn't the case.
"I hate to think they don't care," he said. "Part of the charm in this game is having the fans believe in everything you do."
Torre believes L.A.'s adoration of Ramirez is a different phenomenon.
"Nobody's trying to agree with what happened," he said, "but when it's all said and done, it's all about who this personality is."
The dreadlocks. The loose-fitting uniform. The smiles that convey a childlike love for the game.
